Summary

During 2025 to 2026 we have provided:

This year we continued to deliver a successful and inclusive Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, supporting children and young people across the borough.

HAF funding supported: 

• activity delivery
• food provision
• staffing
• venue hire
• targeted support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• programme coordination, administration, and marketing

The programme was delivered in partnership with 31 holiday club providers, offering a broad and diverse range of opportunities including: 

• sports
• creative arts
• theatre
• outdoor learning
• specialist SEND provisions

Highlights for this year included:

• a broad programme promoting physical activity, creatively and wellbeing
• maintaining and strengthening positive relationships with providers, many of whom have been involved in the programme for several years
• engaging with new providers, including those offering specialist SEND provision for children with additional and complex needs
• increasing the availability of accessible holiday places to meet local demand

To support quality and consistency across the programme, we: 

• delivered provider meetings both in person and online
• undertook supportive monitoring visits during each holiday period
• offered training focused on SEND inclusion and inclusive practice
• shared resources to improve accessibility across a range of settings
• collaborated with partner services

Key strategic priorities for this year included:

• expanding provision for secondary-aged children
• increasing accessibility and inclusion for children with SEND
• promoting healthy eating and physical activity
• encouraging children to access new and enriching experiences that build confidence, resilience and social connection

Overall, the 2025 to 2026 programme built on previous years’ success and continued to provide enriching, inclusive and high-quality holiday experiences for children and young people across Bracknell Forest.

“My daughters love attending everyday as they done different activities every day they really enjoyed the pottery making activity they did and a big thank you to all staff at ace kids Jennett's park as my girls will be attending again in summer holidays :)”

“All 3 children loved the Playstation was always different activities for them to take part in. Was something for all 3 age rangers for them. Also had no issues with the boys having SEN needs and were able to accommodate their needs.”

“My girls will be attending again in the summer and a massive thank you to all staff at ace kids Jennett's park :)"

“It's nice that children get this opportunity as it helps with confidence and them being active, learning new skills”

“Staff were amazing at the centre”

“Great service as it allows my child to attend in holidays and keeps them in a routine” 

“Getting to try new things and getting the chance to do activities they wouldn’t normally be able to do due to not having the money for them to do it.”

Food

All food provided through the HAF programme continues to meet the required school food standards. We work closely with providers throughout the year and undertake monitoring visits to make sure that:

• settings have appropriate facilities to prepare and serve food
• children are supported to eat in a safe and welcoming environment

We remain committed to meeting the diverse dietary needs of all children. Providers are expected to cater for: 

• allergies
• intolerances
• cultural and religious requirements
• individual preferences (where possible)

We also work with families and providers to make sure appropriate arrangements are in place, particularly where children have more complex dietary needs.

Our delivery model is flexible and reflects the different types of provision across the programme. Some clubs, particularly outdoor settings, work with local suppliers to prepare and deliver meals. Others use on-site kitchen facilities to provide freshly prepared food. 

Many providers offer more than one meal each day at no additional cost to families. This is typically breakfast and lunch.

Healthy snacks are available throughout the day in most clubs, with an emphasis on fruit, vegetables and low-sugar options.

Where sessions are shorter, children may be provided with a nutritious snack bag. These include items such as:

• fresh fruit
• air-popped popcorn
• dried fruit
• yoghurt

We have also continued to provide resources and equipment, such as air-popcorn makers, to support healthier food choices across provision.

Feedback from parents and carers shows that the food offer has been well received overall. Many families reported that children enjoyed the snacks provided, particularly healthier options such as fruit. Others noted that their children ate more during sessions than they usually would. Families also valued the reassurance of food being available, even where children initially chose to bring a packed lunch.

Families commented positively on the overall quality of the food provided. The availability of snacks and meal options helped to make sure that children had access to something to eat throughout the day, even where tastes and preferences varied.

We recognise that some children, particularly those with additional needs such as autism or avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), may have very specific dietary preferences and may continue to bring their own food. Our approach remains flexible and inclusive so that these children can still access and benefit from the wider HAF programme.

Overall, the food element of the HAF programme continues to be a positive and valued aspect of delivery. We will build on this by working with providers to further strengthen variety, portion sizes and communication. This will make sure that children continue to have access to nutritious, appealing and inclusive food options.

Enriching activities

We work with a broad and diverse range of providers across the borough, each delivering high-quality enrichment opportunities for children and young people. This means we can offer a varied programme of activities that reflects different interests, abilities and needs. By doing this, we make sure that children can access experiences that are both enjoyable and meaningful.

Many providers bring specialist expertise, offering focused activities such as: 

• football
• tennis
• dance
• drama
• performance-based workshops

Alongside this, multi-activity clubs provide a broader programme that typically includes: 

• arts and crafts
• creative projects
• games
• physical play

This balance of specialist and general provision gives children the opportunity to pursue existing interests while also trying something new.

We want to make sure there is something for everyone. By maintaining a broad and inclusive offer, we can better respond to the diverse interests of children and young people across Bracknell Forest. 

This approach supports participation from a wide range of children, including those who may be less likely to engage in more traditional or narrowly-focused activities.

The enrichment offer contributes to children’s development in a range of ways. Performing arts activities help build confidence and self-expression. Sports support teamwork, resilience and physical wellbeing. Creative activities such as arts and crafts develop imagination, fine motor skills and problem-solving. Taken together, these experiences support children’s confidence, social development, emotional wellbeing and self-esteem.

A key strength of the HAF programme is its ability to provide access to opportunities that many families may not otherwise be able to afford or access. Activities such as golf, watersports, theatre and dance can present financial or practical barriers, but through HAF we are able to reduce these and widen participation. This enables children to try new experiences, discover new interests and develop valuable skills in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.

Physical activities

Physical activity remains a central element of the HAF programme, with all clubs meeting the requirement to provide at least one hour of physical activity each day. Many providers exceed this minimum, particularly those with a sport-focused offer where children are active for much of each session.

We provide a broad and inclusive range of physical activities designed to cater to different interests, abilities and levels of confidence. Our sport-specific provision includes activities such as: 

• football
• basketball
• multi-sports
• golf

Provision is delivered by qualified coaches and adapted where needed to make sure that sessions are accessible, inclusive and enjoyable for all participants. These sessions also promote the importance of staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

In addition to traditional sports, the programme includes a wide range of other physical activities, including: 

• theatre
• dance
• cheerleading
• gymnastics
• swimming
• playground games
• climbing
• archery
• cricket
• table tennis
• trampolining
• go-karting
• ice skating

This diverse offer helps to make sure that every child can find an activity that appeals to them. This encourages participation and builds confidence, especially for children who may be less drawn to competitive sports.

Physical activity is also embedded within creative and performing arts provision. Theatre-based clubs often incorporate dance, cheerleading and movement-based performances. This helped children to remain active while also developing coordination, confidence and teamwork in a creative and inclusive environment.

Sports-focused clubs continue to be among the most popular across the programme, attracting high levels of bookings and consistent attendance. Feedback from families has been very positive. 86% of families report that their children were more active following participation in the programme.

By offering a wide-ranging and inclusive programme of physical activities, we aim to make sure that every child has the opportunity to stay active, try new experiences and develop positive habits that support their physical health and overall wellbeing beyond the school holidays.

Nutrition and healthy living

Nutritional education remains an important element of the HAF programme. We work closely with providers to make sure that healthy eating is promoted in engaging and accessible ways. This includes practical food-based activities such as cooking and baking. These sessions help children develop a better understanding of healthy meals and snacks in a fun, hands-on way.

To support both providers and families, we shared a range of online resources, including: 

• guidance on healthy eating
• school food standards
• HAF-approved recipes

These materials help reinforce key messages beyond the holiday sessions. They support families to make informed choices at home.

Regular provider meetings continue to place a strong emphasis on nutritional education and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. These discussions help make sure that providers feel confident delivering food-related activities. It helps them to promote consistent messages about healthy eating in line with national standards.

We also work with providers and families to make sure that food-related activities and healthy eating messages remain inclusive and responsive to children’s individual dietary needs. This includes: 

• allergies
• intolerances
• cultural requirements
• religious requirements

As a result, children are supported to explore healthy food in a positive and practical way. Families have access to information that can help reinforce healthier habits at home.

Feedback suggests that this contributes to greater awareness of nutrition and healthy choices over time.

SEND

We are committed to making sure that the HAF programme is inclusive and accessible to all children and young people, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In response to ongoing feedback from families and providers, we have continued to strengthen our SEND offer so that it better meets a range of needs across the borough.

In Bracknell Forest, we now work with 4 dedicated SEND holiday club providers. These deliver HAF-funded SEND-specific provision. They support children with a range of needs, including those with more complex requirements. This makes sure they can access the programme in environments that are safe, structured and supportive.

Targeted funding means that these providers have higher staff-to-child ratios, making sure that children get the appropriate level of support throughout their time at the club. This allows for:

• personalised support
• tailored activities
• greater flexibility to respond to individual needs

This helps children to feel settled, supported and able to participate fully.

Our SEND provision includes opportunities for children with both complex needs and lower-level support needs, providing a broad and inclusive offer. Activities are adapted to suit a wide range of abilities, so children can access the same enriching experiences as their peers while their individual needs are supported.

We have seen clear benefits from expanding SEND-specific provision. Increasing the number of tailored places has reduced demand for one-to-one support within mainstream settings, suggesting that more children are now accessing provision that is better matched to their needs. This has contributed to a more positive experience for both children and providers across the programme.

These developments demonstrate the importance of offering a range of inclusive and appropriately tailored opportunities within the HAF programme. By continuing to invest in and strengthen our SEND provision, we aim to make sure that every child can participate, feel supported and benefit from a positive and meaningful holiday experience.

Parents praised several aspects of our SEND provision, including:

“Having a safe place to go during the holidays with staff that are equipped to cope with his very high care needs.”

“[The] familiar setting. My sons SEN class.”

Marketing and communication

We use a broad range of communication channels to promote the HAF programme. This helps to make sure that families, schools, providers and key stakeholders are well-informed and engaged.

A dedicated HAF webpage is maintained on the council website. It is regularly updated with programme information, booking details and key dates. 

Registered parents and carers are contacted directly by email ahead of each holiday period. This includes reminders about booking timelines and ‘go live’ dates through the Eequ booking system.

To increase awareness across the borough, we also distribute printed materials such as flyers and posters ahead of each holiday period. These are displayed in community venues, schools and other public locations to help reach as many eligible families as possible.

We work closely with schools to support promotion of the programme through newsletters and direct communication with families. Providers are encouraged to promote their HAF-funded provision through their own communication channels, helping to extend reach through established community networks.

Internally, relevant council services are kept informed about the programme and key booking dates so they can share information with the families and communities they support.

We also promote the programme through a range of council-led communication channels, including: 

• parent newsletters
• the school traded services platform (Can-Do)
• corporate newsletters
• official social media accounts

This coordinated multi-channel approach helps to make sure that information is clear, consistent and accessible to a wide audience.

Other resources

We work closely with the council’s Early Help team to identify and support children and families who may not meet the national HAF eligibility criteria but are recognised as vulnerable or in need of additional support. Through this partnership, we have been able to extend access to holiday provision for these children so they can benefit from safe, enriching activities and nutritious food during the school holidays. This has been achieved through the targeted use of local resources and better alignment of support services, rather than relying solely on HAF funding.

We also work in partnership with the Short Breaks service, with joint-funded arrangements in place where appropriate to support children with additional needs. This collaborative approach helps us to provide more tailored support packages, including additional staffing or specialist provision, so that children with SEND can access HAF activities in ways that meet their individual needs.

The HAF programme is closely aligned with a range of wider local authority priorities and initiatives, including Early Help, SEND inclusion, public health and physical activity strategies. This alignment: 

• supports a coordinated approach to children and family support
• reduces duplication
• helps maximise the impact of available funding and resources

For example, our focus on healthy eating and physical activity complements local public health objectives, and our inclusive delivery model supports wider SEND and inclusion priorities.

We make effective use of existing local authority and community spaces to maximise value for money. Many clubs are delivered in schools, community centres and leisure facilities that are already familiar and accessible to families. Using established venues helps reduce additional costs and provides children with trusted and consistent environments. Partnerships with schools are particularly valuable, supporting both promotion of the programme and delivery within settings that families already know.

Some providers have also developed relationships with local food businesses to secure affordable meal provision. This helps to manage costs while maintaining quality.

In addition, we support providers through: 

• free training, including SEND training
• guidance
• resource sharing, including nutritional education materials

This investment in provider development strengthens the overall quality and consistency of the programme without needing significant additional funding.

Key reflections and forward plans

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme continues to make a meaningful difference to children and families across Bracknell Forest. The strength of the programme is underpinned by: 

• a committed provider network
• effective partnership working
• a consistent focus on delivering safe, inclusive and high-quality holiday provision

Feedback from parents and carers continues to demonstrate the value of the programme. Families consistently highlight the importance of having access to safe, engaging and free holiday provision that supports children’s wellbeing, development and enjoyment during the school holidays. This is particularly important at times when additional support may be needed.

Monitoring visits and ongoing engagement with providers continue to show the positive impact of the programme in practice. Children are actively engaged in activities and developing social, emotional and physical skills. They benefit from opportunities that promote confidence, wellbeing and participation.

A key strength of the programme is the quality and commitment of our provider network. Providers continue to adapt their offer to meet the needs of children and families. This helps to make sure that provision remains responsive, inclusive and of a consistently high standard across the borough.

We also recognise that provision for secondary-aged children has remained an area for further development. During 2025 to 2026, we made progress in strengthening this part of the offer by increasing age-appropriate activities and working with providers to better reflect the interests and needs of older children and young people. This will remain a priority for future delivery.

The HAF programme has become an important part of local support for children and families. As well as providing enriching experiences for children, it offers reassurance and practical help to parents and carers during the school holidays, particularly for those facing financial or wider social pressures.

Looking ahead, we will continue to build on the strengths of the programme by: 

• further developing inclusive provision
• strengthening the offer for secondary-aged children
• maintaining strong partnerships with providers and local services

Continued investment in the HAF programme will be essential to sustaining this progress and making sure that children and families across Bracknell Forest continue to benefit from high-quality holiday provision.

Funding

We received funding of £253,440 from the Department for Education (DfE) to support the delivery of the HAF programme. This funding was used to cover the cost of:

• activities
• food provision
• staffing
• venue hire
• targeted support for children with SEND

A portion of the funding was also allocated to administration, marketing and programme coordination.

The overall expenditure was £248,377. This was made up of:

• staffing and oversight £25,344
• publicity £52.49
• booking system costs £3,802
• programme delivery £219,178

This is an underspend of £5,063.